What’s up for election and how to file for candidacy

The deadline to file as a candidate in the May 7 primary election is 4 p.m. Feb. 6.

In Madison County, the positions up for election are the mayor’s seat in West Jefferson and most of the elected seats for the city of London. The positions must be contested in order for a primary to take place; the guidelines are different between West Jefferson and London.

For a primary election to take place for the West Jefferson mayor’s seat, at least three candidates must gather signatures and file with the Madison County Board of Elections. If two or fewer file, no primary will be held. The position is non-partisan. The term is for four years.

Individuals interested in running for the West Jefferson mayor’s seat have two options. To have their name appear on the ballot, they must secure at least 25 valid signatures from registered voters in West Jefferson and file the petitions with the Board of Elections by Feb. 6.

Or, they can file as write-in candidates. Write-ins are not required to collect signatures; their names do not appear on the ballot. The deadline to file as a write-in is 4 p.m. Feb. 25. At least three candidates who collect signatures must file before write-in candidates will be included on the ballot.

The filing fee for West Jefferson mayoral candidates is $30. If a primary takes place, the top two vote-getters move on to the November general election.

For a primary election to take place in London, at least two candidates must file for a seat. Among the seats up for election are auditor, law director, council president, mayor, and three at-large council seats. Major party candidates for these seats must collect at least 50 valid signatures. Minor party candidates must collect at least 25 valid signatures. The petitions are due to the Board of Elections by Feb. 6.

Independent candidates for these seats will not run in the primary election. Their names will appear on the November ballot. They must collect at least 25 valid signatures and submit petitions by 4 p.m. May 6.

All four council ward seats also are up for election. Major party candidates must collect at least 25 valid signatures; minor party candidates must collect at least 13 valid signatures. The petitions are due to the Board of Elections by Feb. 6.

Independent candidates for the ward seats will not run in the primary election. Their names will appear on the November ballot. Independent candidates for the the Ward 1, 2 and 4 seats must collect 25 signatures; independent candidates for the Ward 3 seat must collect 19 signatures. Petitions are due by May 6.

The filing fee for London city government seats is $45.

There is no option for write-in candidates in the London primary election.

The London auditor, law director and mayor seats are four-year terms. All other city seats are two-year terms.

For details, visit the Board of Elections website at madson.ohioboe.com or call (740) 852-9424. The office is located at 1423 State Rte. 38 SE, London.